Portable fire extinguishing nozzle arrangement

ABSTRACT

A portable fire extinguishing nozzle arrangement has a nozzle head provided with fire extinguishing nozzles that may be connected to a supply pipe. A plurality of fire extinguishing nozzles are mutually spaced apart at the free front side of the nozzle head. When supplied with fire extinguishing fluid, each fire extinguishing nozzle generates a mist of fire extinguishing fluid. The fire extinguishing nozzles may be selectively supplied with fire extinguishing fluid individually and/or in groups through a valve combination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a transportable fire extinguishingpistol comprising a fire extinguishing nozzle-head fitted with fireextinguishing nozzles, in which the fire extinguishing nozzles areconnectable to a supply pipe. Such fire extinguishing pistols are usedin stationary or mobile fire extinguishing systems in which theextinguishing fluid is sprayed onto the seat of the fire by way of afire extinguishing nozzle.

Fire extinguishing pistol of the type mentioned in the introduction isknow from U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,831. With the known pistol, the nozzlehead is rotatably arranged in such a way that by turning the head, thenozzle apertures arranged on the face can be brought into alignment withthe outlet aperture of a fire extinguishing fluid supply-pipe. In thisway, a fire extinguishing jet emanates from one of the nozzles.

In the case of the known fire extinguishing pistol, the extinguishingfluid emanates with relatively high kinetic energy. The advantage ofusing such an extinguishing fluid jet consists of the possibly oftargeting the jet of extinguishing substance to the area of the firecovering a considerable range. In this way, among other things, themember of the fire brigade who operates the fire extinguishing plant isonly exposed to a low risk of injury. In order to achieve this, in thepast the water damage caused by the large quantities of extinguishingsubstance always required during firefighting was accepted as beinginevitable.

Apart from the know fire extinguishing pistol mentioned above, from theinternational application WO94/25112, a fire extinguishing nozzleretainer, which is to be attached in a stationary manner, is known, inwhich the fire extinguishing nozzles are arranged on a bevelled,conically shaped exterior surface. The advantage of such a design of thefire extinguishing nozzle-holder consists in the ability to cover arelatively large volume of space with extinguishing fluid in short timeby way of the fire extinguishing nozzles.

Apart from the traditional extinguished methods in which largequantities of extinguishing fluid are directed to the seat of the fire,it is known to use a fluid mist for extinguishing fires. By sprayingsuch a fluid mist into the surroundings of the seat of the fire, thetemperature of the gasses surrounding the seat of the fire is reduced.At the same time, the oxygen required for combustion is displaced fromthe surroundings of the fire. By reducing the temperature and displacingthe oxygen, the fire is finally suffocated. A further particularadvantage of extinguishing fires with a fluid mist consists of the fluidquantities required for extinguishing the fire being only small.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to improve a fireextinguishing pistol of the type discribed in the introduction to suchan extent that due to increased effectiveness of the fluid mist, thefluid quantity required to extinguish a fire is reduced.

According to the invention, this object is met in that with a fireextinguishing pistol of the type mentioned in the introduction, at thefree front of the fire extinguishing nozzle-head a plural number of fireextinguishing nozzles are arranged, spaced apart in relation to eachother, of which each one, when supplied with an extinguishing fluidunder pressure, generates an extinguishing fluid mist; and that theextinguishing nozzles can be supplied with extinguishing fluid underpressure by way of a valve combination, as desired either individuallyand/or in groups.

Instead of or in addition to a central main nozzle, the inventionprovides for the provision of further fire extinguishing nozzles whichgenerate a finely distributed extinguishing mist. It is possible togenerate an extinguishing mist of a particular quality by selecting theindividual fire extinguishing nozzles of which each one, depending onthe case of application, for example can generate mist of a differenttype and composition; their number; their respective mode of operation;the type of supply with extinguishing fluid under pressure; and theirpositioning on the fire extinguishing nozzle-head. Among other things,this extinguishing mist is optimally composed with regard to the typeand size of individual mist droplets contained in it.

In addition, the fire extinguishing pistol according to the inventionmakes it possible, during the firefighting operation, to adapt the typeand composition of the extinguishing mist generated to the changingrequirements as a result of progressive extinguishing success. This isachieved in that the fire extinguishing nozzles of the fireextinguishing nozzle-head can be supplied with extinguishing fluid underpressure either individually and/or in groups. In this way it ispossible for example to use various fire extinguishing nozzlecombinations for generating an extinguishing mist composed of a widespectrum of different fluid droplets. Equally, for example with a viewto cooling down the room temperature at the beginning of firefighting asquickly as possible, it is possible to generate an extinguishing mistwhich is composed of only a single, paricularly finely distrubuted, formof droplets. With progressing extinguishing success, this fine mist canthen be supplemented with larger droplets by opening additional nozzles;for example for directly fighting smouldering fires.

Depending on the case of application, the individual fire extinguishingnozzles can be arranged in a line beside each other. This can beadvantageous for those cases where uniform issue of extinguishing mistis desired over a large area. In addition, or alternatively, the nozzlescan also be arranged on the circumferential line of an arc or in acomplete circle.

In the case where, apart from the fire extinguishing nozzles arranged onthe front, an additional main nozzle is provided from which substantialquantities of extnguishing substance can be applied if required, it isadvantageous if the centre of the circle or the arc on which the nozzlesare arranged, is arranged in the centre of this centrally-arranged mainnozzle. Even distrubution of the extinguishing mist is also attained inthat the individual nozzles are spaced apart with equal distance inrespect to each other.

An advantageous embodiment in view of simple maintenance of the fireextinguishing pistol is characterised in that the fire extinguishingnozzle-head is detachably attached to a carrier unit.

Quick distribution of the extinguishing mist in a space as large aspossible can be aided in that at least a certain number of fireextinguishing nozzles are arranged on a backward-slanting planar sectionof the face of the fire extinguishing nozzle-head. The speed with whicha space volume can be filled can further be increased in that the fireextinguishing nozzle-head comprises a lateral area on which at least oneadditional fire extinguishing nozzle is arranged.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be seen from theclaims and the subsequent exemplary description below, where theinvention is illustrated in more detail by means of a drawing showingone embodiment, in which like reference numerals designate the sameelements:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a fire extinguishing nozzle-head;

FIG. 2 is a partially exposed longitudinal section of a fireextinguishing pistol in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The transportable fire extinguishing pistol shown in FIG. 2 comprises afire extinguishing nozzle-head 1 designed rotationally symmetrical, atthe front S of which there is a face 2. At the centre of the face 2, arecess 3 is shaped which accommodates a central fire extinguishingnozzle 4. The central fire extinguishing nozzle 4 is screwed into ascrew retainer 5 of a carrier unit 6 which is connected to a firstsupply pipe 7 and attached to the housing pipe R of the transportablefire extinguishing pistol L.

Shaped to the face 2 is α surrounding planar section 8, conical inshape, which recedes at an angle a in relation to the face 2. On theplanar section 8, fire extinguishing nozzles 9 are arranged which areconnected to a second supply pipe 10. The fire extinguishing nozzles 9are arranged in regular angular spacing β in relation to each other in acircular K positioned concentrically to the aperture 4 a of the centralfire extinguishing nozzle 4. During pressurisation of the supply pipe10, the fire extinguishing nozzles 9 generate an extinguishing mist inwhich the individual liquid droplets have a small volume and emanate ina finely distributed way from the nozzle aperture 9 a of the fireextinguishing nozzles 9 into the surroundings of a seat of a fire.

In order to enable easy exchange of the fire extinguishing nozzles 9,the said nozzles are unscrewably screwed into screw retainers 11 whichare connected to the second supply pipe 10.

A radially surrounding lateral area 12 joins the planar section 8 of thefront S of the fire extinguishing nozzle-head 1. In the lateral area 12,further fire extinguishing nozzles 13 are arranged at regular angularspacing æ in respect to each other, which can be supplied under pressureby a third supply pipe (not shown). The fire extinguishing nozzle-heads13 are also unscrewably seated in screw retainers 14; in the case ofwear and tear they can simply be exchanged.

The fire extinguishing nozzles 9 can be supplied under pressure withextinguishing fluid together as a group, by way of the second supplypipe 10. Equally, the fire extinguishing nozzles 13 are supplied underpressure jointly as a group by way of the third supply pipe (not shown).This makes it possible to supply extinguishing fluid under pressure tothe central fire extinguishing nozzle 4, the group consisting of thefire extinguishing nozzles 9 and the group consisting of the fireextinguishing nozzles 13, each of them independently.

Equally it is possible to operate the two groups of fire extinguishingnozzles 9, 13 and the central fire extinguishing nozzle 4 together invarious combinations. In order to achieve this, a valve combination V,not described in any further detail, is provided. By way of a washer 20comprising inclined bore holes, the outlet channels of the valvecombination V, allocated to the two supply pipes 7, 10, and the thirdsupply pipe (not shown) are connected to the supply pipe 7, 10 and thethird supply pipe (not shown). By using the washer 20, it is possible tokeep the valve housing of the valve combination simple in design, and atthe same time to select the arrangement of the supply pipe 7, 10 and thethird supply pipe in such a way that they take up as little space aspossible.

What is claimed:
 1. A transportable fire extinguishing pistol, comprising: a housing; a fire extinguishing nozzle-head attached to an end of the housing; fire extinguishing nozzles mounted on said fire extinguishing nozzle-head in spaced apart positions at a forward end of the fire extinguishing nozzle-head, each of said fire extinguishing nozzles including a nozzle aperture capable of independent production of a fluid mist when supplied under pressure with an extinguishing fluid; at least one conduit for supplying the extinguishing fluid from a supply to the fire extinguishing nozzles; and a valve combination for selectively directly flow of the extinguishing fluid to desired ones of the fire extinguishing nozzles, wherein said at least one conduit includes a supply pipe disposed within the housing.
 2. A fire extinguishing pistol according to claim 1, wherein said fire extinguishing nozzles include a central fire extinguishing nozzle disposed at a central position of the forward end of the fire extinguishing nozzle-head.
 3. A fire extinguishing pistol according to claim 1, wherein the fire extinguishing nozzles include a first group of fire extinguishing nozzles, at least a portion of the first group of fire extinguishing nozzles being aligned along an arcuate locus.
 4. A fire extinguishing pistol according to claim 1, wherein the fire extinguishing nozzles include a first group of fire extinguishing nozzles, at least a portion of the first group of fire extinguishing nozzles being aligned along an enclosed circular locus.
 5. A fire extinguishing pistol according to claim 1, wherein the fire extinguishing nozzles include a first group of fire extinguishing nozzles, members of the first group of fire extinguishing nozzles being spaced apart an equal distance from one another.
 6. A fire extinguishing pistol according to claim 1, further comprising a carrier unit interposed between the fire extinguishing nozzle-head and the housing, the fire extinguishing nozzle-head being detachably connected to the carrier unit.
 7. A fire extinguishing pistol according to claim 1, wherein: the fire extinguishing nozzle-head includes a front face and a planar section slanting backward from the front face at an angle relative thereto; and the fire extinguishing nozzles include a first group of fire extinguishing nozzles mounted on the planar section.
 8. A fire extinguishing pistol according to claim 1, wherein: the fire extinguishing nozzle-head includes a lateral area; and the fire extinguishing nozzles include at least one laterally-disposed fire extinguishing nozzle mounted on the lateral area.
 9. A fire extinguishing pistol according to claim 7, wherein: the fire extinguishing nozzle-head includes a lateral area; and the fire extinguishing nozzles include a second group of fire extinguishing nozzles mounted on the lateral area, members of the second group of fire extinguishing nozzles being spaced apart an equal distance from one another.
 10. A nozzle assembly for use with a transportable fire extinguishing pistol, comprising: a fire extinguishing nozzle-head; fire extinguishing nozzles mounted on said fire extinguishing nozzle-head in spaced apart positions at a forward end of the fire extinguishing nozzle-head, each of said fire extinguishing nozzles being connectable to a supply of extinguishing fluid and including a nozzle aperture capable of independent production of a fluid mist when supplied under pressure with the extinguishing fluid; and a valve combination for selectively directing flow of the extinguishing fluid to desired ones of the fire extinguishing nozzles, the fire extinguishing nozzle-head includes a front face, and a planar section slanting backward from the front face at an angle relative thereto; and the fire extinguishing nozzles including a central fire extinguishing nozzle disposed centrally of the fron face, and a first group of fire extinguishing nozzles disposed on the planar section.
 11. A nozzle assembly for use with a transportable fire extinguishing pistol, comprising; a fire extinguishing nozzle-head; fire extinguishing nozzles mounted on said fire extinguishing nozzle-head in spaced apart positions at a forward end of the fire extinguishing nozzle-head, each of said fire extinguishing nozzles being connectable to a supply of extinguishing fluid and including a nozzle aperature capable of independent production of a fluid mist when supplied under pressure with the extinguishing fluid; a valve combination for selectively directly flow of the extinguishing fluid to desired ones of the fire extinguishing nozzles; the fire extinguishing nozzle-head including a front face, and a planar section slanting backward from the front face at an angle relative thereto; the fire extinguishing nozzles including a central fire extinguishing nozzle disposed centrally of the front face, and a first group of fire extinguishing nozzles disposed on the planar section; the fire extiguishing nozzle-head further including a lateral area joining the planar section; and the fire extinguishing nozzles further including a second group of fire extinguishing nozzles disposed in the lateral area.
 12. A nozzle assembly according to claim 11, wherein the valve combination selectively directs flow of the extinguishing fluid to one or a combination of the central fire extinguising nozzle, the first group of fire extinguishing nozzles and the second group of fire extinguishing nozzles.
 13. A nozzle assembly according to claim 11, further comprising: a first supply pipe, a second supply pipe and a third supply pipe for conducing the extinguishing fluid from the supply to the central fire extinguishing nozzle, the first group of fire extinguishing nozzles and the second group of fire extinguishing nozzles, respectively; and the valve combination including a mechanism for selectively connecting one or a combination of the first, second and third supply pipes to the supply. 